Abyssoteuthidae

Abyssoteuthidae is a small family of cephalopods commonly known as deepsquids. They are endemic to Hothiri, found predominantly in deep waters, hence the name. There are nine species in the family from two genuses.

Blue-Eyed Deepsquid by Mochi

All deepsquids are found at depths beyond a thousand metres, aside from the blue-eyed deepsquid, which inhabits shallow waters around the Night Islands.

Deepsquids are characterised by their one giant eye and the radial disc attached to the gladius, which gives the squids a more advanced proto-skeleton than other cephalopods.

Deepsquids pair up their eight arms to form four thicker arms, which they use to ward off predators by batting and punching.

These squids have a large star-shaped fin with bioluminescent chromatophores. They use flashing lights to communicate with other squids, as well as various arm movements.

Most of what is known about these squids come from blue-eyed deepsquids, as they are the only species in the family to exist remotely close to the marine factories. In fact, blue-eyed deepsquids are very popular among factory workers, as they are often spotted dancing around factory windows and are caught in trawling nets and eaten.

Genuses & Species

Abyssoteuthis

Abyssoteuthis rosiris (See More)
Abyssoteuthis cyaniris (See More)
Abyssoteuthis metallis

Dentateuthis

Dentateuthis harpedentos
Dentateuthis nectarini
Dentateuthis cryptos
Dentateuthis cosmopolitis
Dentateuthis kassonii
Dentateuthis mesanyctus

Habitat

Most deepsquid are deep-sea animals, inhabiting depths of more than a thousand metres. The Sodden Teeth are a popular nesting region for these giant cephalopods, both kasson's and nighttime deepsquids migrating to this region to lay their eggs along the wiry underwater mountains.

The Glassy Trench is also frequented by many deepsquids, particularly nectarine deepsquids. These bright orange creatures linger behind wolfmouth whales as they leave trails of food behind. The lazier squids grab onto the whale's tail for a free ride, too.

Depth Key

>200 metres
>500 metres
>1000 metres
>5000 metres
>8000 metres
<10000 metres

Hothiri

Open full size

Genetic Descendants

• Blue-Eyed Deepsquid
• Red-Eyed Deepsquid

Geographic Distribution

• Hothiri

Scientific Classification
Kingdom - Animalia
Subkingdom - Eumetazoa
Clade - Bilateria
Phylum - Mollusca
Subphylum - Conchifera
Class - Cephalopoda
Subclass - Coleoida
Superorder - Decapodiformes
Order- Bathyteuthida
Family - Abyssoteuthidae

Related Articles